Dubai – The United Arab Emirates is gradually resuming air traffic after closing its airspace on February 28th, coinciding with the start of the United States and Israel’s military operations against Iran, according to a statement released Friday by the General Civil Aviation Authority.
The phased reopening comes after a period of significant disruption to global air travel, impacting over six million air passengers, according to reports. While the UAE has begun to restore flights, challenges remain. In at least four instances since resuming operations at Dubai International Airport, aircraft destined for the world’s busiest international hub have been forced to circle in holding patterns awaiting landing clearance, due to drone activity or intercepted missiles in the airspace, according to data from Flightradar24.
Abdullah bin Touq, the UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism, stated that 1.4 million passengers had been served by the country’s airports between March 1st and March 12th. During the same period, 7,839 flights were recorded in UAE airspace. The resumption of national carrier operations has reached 44.6% of pre-disruption levels.
Emirates and Etihad Airways initially resumed limited flights from the UAE on March 6th. However, the ongoing conflict continues to pose a threat to regional aviation. On March 11th, the UAE’s air defenses reportedly intercepted missiles and drones, resulting in four fresh injuries, according to reports. The incidents underscore the continued vulnerability of the region to attacks amid the escalating conflict.
The international community is grappling with the wider repercussions of the conflict, including concerns about fuel shortages. The International Energy Agency announced that its member countries would release 400 million barrels of oil from their strategic reserves – the largest release on record – in an effort to stabilize global oil prices and mitigate the impact of potential supply disruptions.
Gulf states have reaffirmed their right to self-defense in the face of Iranian attacks. The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate cessation of Iranian attacks on Gulf nations, asserting that such actions constitute a violation of international law and a “serious threat to international peace, and security.”
